I was pleasantly surprised by this; De Niro's performance is all the funnier by his totally deadpan delivery and Stiller is also comparatively restrained (although the fact that his character's name is Gay Focker prepares you for a certain lack of subtlety...)

I was pleasantly surprised by this; De Niro's performance is all the funnier by his totally deadpan delivery and Stiller is also comparatively restrained (although the fact that his character's name is Gay Focker prepares you for a certain lack of subtlety...)

This is a pretty funny movie that, unfortunately, spawned a group of money-grab sequels. The comedy is mostly derived from how awkward every situation can get, but Stiller is the type of actor who can pull that physical comedy off and the film works because of his energy and De Niro's gruff persona.

Full Movie Reviews

Imagine asking Robert De Niro for his daughter's hand in marriage. (Shudder!) Now imagine he's an ex-CIA agent who keeps a lie detector in his basement. (Eek!) Now imagine you're Ben Stiller.
Now you see where "Meet the Parents" gets all its best laughs. A middling comedy-of-the-uncomfortable escapade in which casting is the key, "Parents" stars Stiller as Greg Focker, a very nervous boyfriend spending a nightmare weekend at the childhood home of the girl he loves (Teri Polo). Plagued by the worst of luck while trying desperately to buddy up to her folks, Greg's missing luggage containing the engagement ring is the least of his problems (that is, until the wrong bag is delivered later, packed with S&M paraphernalia). He can't seem to get a laugh out of Mom (Blythe Danner) and Dad to save...